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Hoyer Partners with SAFE KIDS February 13-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, February 17, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny Hoyer joined the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and SAFE KIDS Prince George’s County this week to call attention to National Child Passenger Safety Week (February 13-19), a nationwide child passenger safety initiative. In Maryland, an average of 24 children ages 16 and under are killed as a result of motor vehicle crashes every year.
“An unfortunate reality in our country is that the leading cause of death for children under 14 is motor vehicle crashes – especially since properly used, a car seat reduces the risk of death by 71 percent for rear-facing infants and 54 percent for forward-facing toddlers. This week we recognize Child Passenger Safety Week and it should be a reminder to all of us about the importance of transporting our children safely every time they ride in a vehicle,” said Hoyer.
“I am proud to lend my support to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign in their effort to raise public awareness of this serious problem. I look forward to working with the Campaign and my colleagues in Congress to help Marylanders understand how to prevent these deaths and injuries in our communities, and I encourage Marylanders to get their safety seat inspected.” Hoyer concluded.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 73 percent of all child passenger restraints — more than 80 percent of car seats and about 40 percent of booster seats — are used incorrectly. “Parents and caregivers have the responsibility to ensure that their children are properly secured in the correct child restraint system during every ride in a motor vehicle. Members of SAFE KIDS coalitions throughout Maryland are ready and willing to show them how. In a crash, an incorrectly restrained child is nearly four times more likely to be seriously injured than one who is properly restrained,” said Barbara Beckett, coordinator of SAFE KIDS Maryland.
“Four out of five small children are buckled up incorrectly or not at all. We’re changing that by providing hands-on education for parents. Across the country, we’ve held more than 15,000 checkup events, inspected 600,000 car seats and educated 9 million parents and caregivers,” says Martin R. Eichelberger, M.D., president and CEO of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.
In recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week, more than 120 SAFE KIDS coalitions across the country are launching or expanding partnerships with Chevrolet dealers during Child Passenger Safety Week this year. Chevy is the lead partner in the SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP ?program. Congressman Hoyer has been a long-time partner with SAFE KIDS and has hosted numerous safety seat check-up events throughout his district.
SAFE KIDS Maryland provides car seat inspections throughout the year as well. To find a car seat inspection site or certified technician near you, call 410-787-5893 or visit www.safekids.org. An inspection is free and usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Bring your child and the owner’s manuals for your vehicle and your car seat.
Furthermore, parents can visit one of the permanent fitting stations available year round in the area where they can get their seats checked:
Safety Seat Inspection Station
Children's National Medical Center
111 Michigan Avenue, Car Seat Trailer
Washington, DC
202-884-4993
Safety Seat Inspection Station
Montgomery Fire Rescue Community Service Building
14111 Georgia Ave. (behind 7-11)
Silver Spring
240-777-3636
The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury — the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. More than 300 state and local SAFE KIDS coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico make up the Campaign.
SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP is a national program developed by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and sponsored by Chevrolet and General Motors to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of properly restraining children on every ride.
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